Protective and therapeutic activities of Mayodendron igneum Kurz against paracetamol induced liver toxicity in rats and its bioactive constituents

The total ethanol extract of Mayodendron igneum leaves and its successive extracts (pet. Ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate combined with ethanol )were examined for their protective and therapeutic effects against paracetamol induced liver damage in rats. The evaluation was done through measuring the liver function enzymes; aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT) as well as cholestatic marker; alkaline phosphatase ( ALP). Liver histopathological analysis were also evaluated. Treatment with the selected extacts significantly decreased AST, ALT and ALP.The biochemical results were in accordance with histopatholical results. From the successive ethyl acetate extact, three flavonoids were isolated, purified and identified as 6-methoxyapigenin; fisetin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside and 3-methoxyquercetin-7-O-β-glucopyranoside(6→8”)3”-methoxykaempferol-7”-O-β-glucopyranoside. Five phytoconstituents were isolated from successive ethanol extract and were identified as 4-methoxybenzoic acid; 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin; apigenin-7-O-β-neohesperidoside; 6 –methoxyluteolin-7-O-β-neohesperidoside and luteolin-7-O-β-neohesperidoside. Mayodendron leaves extracts resulted in an attractive candidate for the protection and the treatment of liver damage induced by paracetamol.The flavonoids and coumarin present in the plant may be responsible for the pharmacological activity.